Nature-Based Strategies for Crisfield Coastal Resilience

Presentation to the Chesapeake Bay Tidal Wetlands Restoration coordination effort, specifically the Pocomoke Sound Meeting, where 15 different currently ongoing or planned tidal wetland related projects are sharing information to discuss and collaborate.  The goal is to present one slide on our research co-development with Crisfield, MD, to explore nature-based strategies for coastal resilience (marsh restoration, sand dune restoration, artificial reefs, living shorelines, and coastal living breakwaters), community-preferred co-benefits of those strategies that meet community coastal resilience goals (benefit the seafood industry, tourism and recreation), and to help build capacity for responding to environmental change through environmental leadership empowerment and education (Crisfield Resilience Academy, public learning and engagement sessions).  

Impact/Purpose

This presentation will share research co-development efforts around exploring nature-based strategies to help the community of Crisfield, MD, with their coastal resilience challenges, and well as inform and coordinate with the 14 other current tidal wetlands restoration projects planned in or completed in the Pocomoke Sound communities from the Crisfield peninsula (including the state-owned lands of Janes and Cedar Islands) up to Pocomoke City and down to the Saxis peninsula).  The goal is to integrate with other ongoing efforts and develop nature based solutions that could augment the additional infrastructural investments from Crisfield's FEMA BRIC grant.  Also shared will be examples of how this project utilizes community engagement techniques to work according to community priorities and build civic capacity.  Launched in the Fall 2024, the Crisfield Resilience Academy brings community members together with researchers to build a deeper understanding of the issues and gain practical knowledge to advocate for resiliency priorities.

Citation

Kashuba, R., J. Hartley, AND S. Yee. Nature-Based Strategies for Crisfield Coastal Resilience. To be presented at Tidal Wetlands Restoration Pocomoke Sound Meeting, Virtual, MD, October 16, 2024.

• Nature-Based Strategies for Crisfield Coastal Resilience (PDF)  (1  pp, 1.0 MB, about PDF)